to the deficit without hurting the middle class. >> now, five weeks before the election, he is saying his big bold idea is never mind. >> the debate later turned to the president's health care law which romney says he will get rid of if elected. >> it cut $716 billion from medicare to pay for it. i want to put the money back in medicare. it has killed jobs. >> reporter: but the president tried to bring it back to romney's own health care law which he says is quite similar. >> governor romney did a good thing, working with democrats in the state to set up what is essentially the identical model. it hasn't destroyed jobs. >> reporter: there were a few fireworks. and fewer surprises. the candidates were very deliberate outlining their bullet points on specific policies, but at the same time, neither of them really went after each other on them. it was more like they were trying to go through a checklist. not really connecting with the voters. rob, paula. >> all right. now, obviously, the president's campaign is going to spin this. what will we be hearing from them? >> well, they were trying to f
